Yeah, I've noticed the same thing—seems like a disconnect between departments. When we built our fence, the online map was totally off. City hall had the accurate records, but it took forever to sort out. Definitely feels like digital tools aren't a priority yet...
"Definitely feels like digital tools aren't a priority yet..."
Yeah, ran into something similar when we were planning our custom build. The online easement maps were way off—like, several feet off. Ended up having to physically go down to city hall, request the official plat maps, and cross-reference everything myself. Took some careful measuring and double-checking, but at least now I know exactly where my property lines are. Seems like the digital stuff is more of a rough guideline than anything precise...
I've had mixed experiences with this—sometimes the online maps are surprisingly accurate, at least as a starting point. Maybe it depends on how recently they've been updated or the municipality you're dealing with. Last year, we used digital easement maps for preliminary planning without issues, but we still confirmed everything officially later. I'd say they're useful as initial references, but definitely don't skip the official verification step...
Good points overall—though I'd argue digital maps aren't always the best starting point. I've seen outdated info cause headaches down the line... sometimes it's quicker to just pick up the phone and call city hall directly. Depends on your local office, I guess?
Good call on this one—I've definitely run into outdated info more than once. From my experience:
- Digital maps are handy for initial checks, but they're rarely the full story. I've had projects where online easement lines were off by several feet, and that can make a huge difference when you're planning setbacks or landscaping.
- Calling city hall directly is usually worth the extra few minutes. You often get more detailed, up-to-date info, especially if you talk to someone who's been there awhile.
- Also depends on how responsive your local office is—I've seen some towns where a quick call solves everything, and others where you're stuck in voicemail purgatory...
Bottom line, it's always smart to cross-reference digital resources with direct communication. Saves headaches later on.
